BACKGROUND: Chayote is a high economic crop in the Cucurbitaceae family, playing an important role in food production, disease treatment and the production of degradable materials in industries. Due to the harsh environment, such as high temperature, drought and frost, some chayote resources are gradually disappearing. It is crucial to collect, characterize, and conserve chayote resources. However, the genetic diversity of chayote resources in China has not been studied so far.
RESULTS: In this study, we collected 35 individuals of chayote from 14 provinces in China. Subsequently, we found 363,156 SSR motifs from the chayote genome and designed 57 pairs of SSR primers for validation. Out of these, 48 primer pairs successfully amplified bands, with 42 of them showing polymorphism. These 42 primer pairs detected a total of 153 alleles, averaging 3.64 alleles per locus. The polymorphic information content ranged from 0.03 to 0.78, with an average value of 0.41, indicating a high level of polymorphism. Based on the analysis using STRUCTURE, PCoA, and UPGMA methods, the 35 chayote individuals were divided into two major clusters. Through further association analysis, 7 significantly associated SSR markers were identified, including four related to peel color and three related to spine.
CONCLUSIONS: These molecular markers will contribute to the analysis of genetic diversity and genetic breeding improvement of chayote in the future.

A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is a genome-level trait that arises from a variation in a single nucleotide, leading to diversity in DNA sequences. SNP screening is commonly used to provide candidate genes for yak breeding efforts. Integrin Subunit Alpha 9 (ITGA9) is an integrin protein. It plays an important role in cell adhesion, signalling, and other processes. The aim of this study was to discuss the association between genetic polymorphisms in the ITGA9 gene and milk quality traits and to identify potential molecular marker loci for yak breeding quality. We genotyped 162 yaks using an Illumina Yak cGPS 7K liquid chip and identified the presence of polymorphisms at nine SNP loci in the ITGA9 gene of yaks. The results showed that the mutant genotypes in the loci g.285,808T>A, g.306,600T>C, and g.315,413C>T were positively correlated with the contents of casein, protein, total solids (TS), and solid nonfat (SNF) in yak milk. In other loci, heterozygous genotypes had a positive correlation with nutrient content in yak milk. Then, two ITGA9 haplotype blocks were constructed based on linkage disequilibrium, which facilitated a more accurate screening of ITGA9 as a candidate gene for yak milk quality improvement. In conclusion, we identified SNPs and haplotype blocks related to yak milk quality traits and provided genetic resources for marker-assisted selection in yak breeding.

The association between pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) and seed coat color has long been recognized. Red-grained wheats generally exhibit greater PHS resistance compared to white-grained wheat, although variability in PHS resistance exists within red-grained varieties. Here, we conducted a genome-wide association study on a panel consisting of red-grained wheat varieties, aimed at uncovering genes that modulate PHS resistance and red color components of seed coat using digital image processing. Twelve loci associated with PHS traits were identified, nine of which were described for the first time. Genetic loci marked by SNPs AX-95172164 (chromosome 1B) and AX-158544327 (chromosome 7D) explained approximately 25% of germination index variance, highlighting their value for breeding PHS-resistant varieties. The most promising candidate gene for PHS resistance was TraesCS6B02G147900, encoding a protein involved in aleurone layer morphogenesis. Twenty-six SNPs were significantly associated with grain color, independently of the known Tamyb10 gene. Most of them were related to multiple color characteristics. Prioritization of genes within the revealed loci identified TraesCS1D03G0758600 and TraesCS7B03G1296800, involved in the regulation of pigment biosynthesis and in controlling pigment accumulation. In conclusion, our study identifies new loci associated with grain color and germination index, providing insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying these traits.

Periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are serious complications of prosthetic surgery. The criteria for the diagnosis of PJI integrate clinical and laboratory findings in a complex and sometimes inconclusive workflow. Host immune factors hold potential as diagnostic biomarkers in bone and joint infections. We reported that the humoral pattern-recognition molecule long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) predicts PJI in total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA and TKA, respectively). If and how genetic variation in PTX3 and inflammatory genes that affect its expression (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17A) contributes to the risk of PJI is unknown. We conducted a case-control study on a Caucasian historic cohort of THA and TKA patients who had prosthesis explant due to PJI (cases) or aseptic complications (controls). Saliva was collected from 93 subjects and used to extract DNA and genotype PTX3, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17A single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Moreover, the concentration of IL-1β, IL-10, and IL-6 was measured in synovial fluid and plasma. No association was found between PTX3 polymorphisms and PJI; however, the AGG haplotype, encompassing rs2853550, rs1143634, and rs1143627 in IL-1β, was linked to the infection (p = 0.017). Also, synovial levels of all inflammatory markers were higher in cases than in controls, and a correlation emerged between synovial concentration of PTX3 and that of IL-1β in cases only (Spearman r = 0.67, p = 0.004). We identified a relationship between rs2853550 and the synovial concentration of IL-1β and PTX3. Our findings suggest that IL-1β SNPs could be used for the early identification of THA and TKA patients with a high risk of infection.

Apyrase is a class of enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of nucleoside triphosphates/diphosphates (NTP/NDP), which widely involved in regulation of plant growth and stress responses. However, apyrase family genes in maize have not been identified, and their characteristics and functions are largely unknown. In this study, we identified 16 apyrases (named as ZmAPY1-ZmAPY16) in maize genome, and analyzed their phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, chromosomal distribution, upstream regulatory transcription factors and expression patterns. Analysis of the transcriptome database unveiled tissue-specific and abiotic stress-responsive expression of ZmAPY genes in maize. qPCR analysis further confirmed their responsiveness to drought, heat, and cold stresses. Association analyses indicated that variations of ZmAPY5 and ZmAPY16 may regulate maize agronomic traits and drought responses. Our findings shed light on the molecular characteristics and evolutionary history of maize apyrase genes, highlighting their roles in various biological processes and stress responses. This study forms a basis for further exploration of apyrase functions in maize.
UNASSIGNED: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-024-01474-9.

UNASSIGNED: Parkinson\'s disease (PD) and Essential tremor (ET) are the two most common tremor diseases with recognized genetic pathogenesis. The overlapping clinical features suggest they may share genetic predispositions. Our previous study systematically investigated the association between rare coding variants in ET-associated genes and early-onset PD (EOPD), and found the suggestive association between teneurin transmembrane protein 4 (TENM4) and EOPD. In the current research, we explored the potential genetic interplay between ET-associated genetic loci/genes and sporadic late-onset PD (LOPD).
UNASSIGNED: We performed whole-genome sequencing in the 1962 sporadic LOPD cases and 1279 controls from mainland China. We first used logistic regression analysis to test the top 16 SNPs identified by the ET genome-wide association study for the association between ET and LOPD. Then we applied the optimized sequence kernel association testing to explore the rare variant burden of 33 ET-associated genes in this cohort.
UNASSIGNED: We did not observe a significant association between the included SNPs with LOPD. We also did not discover a significant burden of rare deleterious variants of ET-associated genes in association with LOPD risk.
UNASSIGNED: Our results do not support the role of ET-associated genetic loci and variants in LOPD.
UNASSIGNED: 1962 cases and 1279 controls were recruited to study the potential genetic interplay between ET-associated genetic loci/variants and sporadic LOPD.No significant association between the ET-associated SNPs and LOPD were observed.No significant burden of rare deleterious variants of ET-associated gene in LOPD risk were found.

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) are presently used as the first-line drugs for the clinical treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It can regulate blood glucose by stimulating insulin secretion and lowering glucagon levels. We used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to detect structural changes in the composition of the intestinal flora of newly diagnosed T2DM after 1 and 48 weeks of dulaglutide administration. Our research found no significant changes in the intestinal flora after the administration of dulaglutide for 1 week to subjects with newly diagnosed T2DM. Nevertheless, after 48 weeks of dulaglutide administration, the composition of the intestinal flora changed significantly, with a significant reduction in the abundance of intestinal flora. Furthermore, we found that fasting glucose levels, fasting c-peptide levels, HbA1c levels, and BMI are also closely associated with intestinal flora. This reveals that intestinal flora may be one of the mechanisms by which dulaglutide treats T2DM.

UNASSIGNED: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that manifests after exposure to a stressful traumatic event, such as combat experience. Accumulated evidence indicates an important genetic influence in the development of PTSD. The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene has been identified as a candidate for PTSD and a polymorphism of the serotonin transporter-linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR) is associated with the disorder in the general population. However, whether it is associated with PTSD in active military service members has not been investigated. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between 5-HTTLPR and PTSD in service members.
UNASSIGNED: Leucocyte genomic DNA was extracted from service members, including those with PTSD (n = 134) or without PTSD (n = 639). The 5-HTTLPR polymorphism was detected by means of 2 stages of TaqMan fluorescent PCR assay. PTSD symptoms and symptom severity were assessed using the PTSD Checklist (PCL), a 17-item, DSM-based, self-report questionnaire with well-established validity and reliability. PTSD was determined based on endorsement of DSM-IV criteria and a PCL total score ≥ 44.
UNASSIGNED: Significant differences in biallele distribution were observed between PTSD and controls (χ2 = 7.497, P = .024). The frequency of SS, SL, and LL genotypes in the PTSD group was 0.17, 0.56, and 0.27 respectively, compared to the frequencies of 0.27, 0.43, and 0.29 in non-PTSD controls. Carriers of the L allele had higher scores for reexperiencing and arousal symptoms on the PCL, compared to SS homozygote carriers (P < .05). The triallele genotypes showed no significant differences in distribution between the PTSD and control groups (P > .05) and no relationship with PTSD symptom severity. The interaction of triallelic genotypes of 5-HTTLPR and traumatic life events was associated with re-experiencing, avoidance, and arousal (P < .05 for all). Multiple regression analysis revealed significant correlations between both biallelic and triallelic genotypes of 5-HTTLPR, the interaction of the number of stressful lifetime events, and 5-HTTLPR genotypes with PCL total score (P < .001).
UNASSIGNED: Our findings suggested that 5-HTT might play a minor role in PTSD, and the interaction between 5-HTTLPR and the environment had effects on PCL score, complementing and emphasizing 5-HTT for PTSD, especially in the military population.

Phenolamides are important secondary metabolites in plant species. They play important roles in plant defense responses against pathogens and insect herbivores, protection against UV irradiation and floral induction and development. However, the accumulation and variation in phenolamides content in diverse maize lines and the genes responsible for their biosynthesis remain largely unknown. Here, we combined genetic mapping, protein regulatory network and bioinformatics analysis to further enhance the understanding of maize phenolamides biosynthesis. Sixteen phenolamides were identified in multiple populations, and they were all significantly correlated with one or several of 19 phenotypic traits. By linkage mapping, 58, 58, 39 and 67 QTLs, with an average of 3.9, 3.6, 3.6 and 4.2 QTLs for each trait were mapped in BBE1, BBE2, ZYE1 and ZYE2, explaining 9.47%, 10.78%, 9.51% and 11.40% phenotypic variation for each QTL on average, respectively. By GWAS, 39 and 36 significant loci were detected in two different environments, 3.3 and 2.8 loci for each trait, explaining 10.00% and 9.97% phenotypic variation for each locus on average, respectively. Totally, 58 unique candidate genes were identified, 31% of them encoding enzymes involved in amine and derivative metabolic processes. Gene Ontology term analysis of the 358 protein-protein interrelated genes revealed significant enrichment in terms relating to cellular nitrogen metabolism, amine metabolism. GRMZM2G066142, GRMZM2G066049, GRMZM2G165390 and GRMZM2G159587 were further validated involvement in phenolamides biosynthesis. Our results provide insights into the genetic basis of phenolamides biosynthesis in maize kernels, understanding phenolamides biosynthesis and its nutritional content and ability to withstand biotic and abiotic stress.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the relationship between waist circumference and asthma attack in adults.
METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we analysed data from 5,530 U.S. adults diagnosed with asthma. Participants were categorized into two groups based on their experience of asthma attacks: with or without asthma attacks. We employed adjusted weighted logistic regression models, weighted restricted cubic splines, subgroup and sensitivity analyses to assess the association between waist circumference and asthma attack.
RESULTS: The median age of all participants was 43 years, and the median waist circumference was 98.9 cm, with a median BMI was 28.50 kg/m2. Participants in the asthma attack group had significantly higher waist circumferences than those in the non-attack group (P < 0.001). After full adjustment for body mass index-defined obesity, age, gender, race, education levels, poverty income ratio levels, smoking status, and metabolic syndrome, every 5 cm increase in waist circumference exhibited a 1.06 times higher likelihood of asthma attack probability. The weighted restricted cubic spline analysis demonstrated an increased risk of asthma attacks with rising waist circumference. Subgroup analyses confirmed this relationship across various groups differentiated by gender, age, and smoking status. When applying a stricter definition of asthma attack, the weighted logistic regression models showed robust association between waist circumference and asthma attack.
CONCLUSIONS: Waist circumference is an independent predictor of asthma attacks. Our findings underscore the importance of waist circumference measurement in evaluating the risk of asthma attacks.